Means for handling radiators for repairs



Jan. 31, 1967 c. R. JORDAN 3,301,547

MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FOR REPAIRS Filed June 18, 1964 2SheetsSheet l FIG.I.

INVENTOR Charles Ray Jordan ATTOR NEY Jam-31,1967

Filed June 18, 1964 C. R. JORDAN MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FORREPAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 99 57 as u 98 50 n IO Ii 4 2 a I C 4 I] 44 l6l1 Q as INVENTOR 40 Charles Ray Jordon 27 v ATTORNEY United StatesPatent 3,301,547 MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FOR REPAIRS Charles RayJordan, Box 105, Toccoa, Ga. 30577 Filed June 18, 1964, Ser. No. 376,1726 Claims. (Cl. 269-20) The present invention relates to work holdingmeans and more particularly to an improved universally adjustable cradleto hold automobile radiators for inspection, testing and for repairthereof.

There have been many forms of adjustable radiator support devices tohold radiators for testing and for repair and this prior art while ithas recognized the problem of handling all sizes of radiators and ofuniversal adustment of the same has nevertheless failed to successfullyprovide an optimum performing radiator cradle of simple constructionwith maximum flexibility for universal adjustment.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide for maximumflexibility in a work holder for radiators or the like.

Another object is to provide a novel radiator cradle for support of anytype or'size radiator in any and all positions to be required fortesting or repair thereof.

Still another object is to provide a radiator cradle having incombination therewith a novel arrangement of holding clamps so shapedand, so positioned that the radiator surfaces to be inspected andrepaired may always be exposed and free of the clamped area.

.The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill appear more fully hereinafter from the following detaileddescription, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein theparts in the specification are numbered and referred to by like numeralsthroughout the drawings.

In the drawings:

. FIGURE 1 is a general perspective view of the novel radiator holdingcradle. of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is "a'perspective view-of the novel cradle and its supportingarm and cross arm positioned to hold a radiator for inspection andrepair above a tub; and

l FIGURE 3 is a perspective view like FIGURE 2 with the novel cradle,its supporting arm and cross arm positioned so as to place the radiatorheld in the cradle in a different position.

1;. Referring 'in detail to the drawings and first with particularreference to FIGURE 1, there is shown an empty radiator cradle device Aang-ularly suspended over a tub B and pivotal-1y secured to a support:arm C vertically depending from a horizontally extending cross arm D.FIGURES 2 and 3 show a radiator 'W clamped in the cradle device A.

The cross arm D is formed with a vertical T head mounted betweenvertically spaced ears 11 and 12 formed from a side plate 13 ofaboX-like casing head 14 slid able up or down ona standard 15 by a fluidmotor E. This casing head embraces the standard or upright 15, which isrectangular in cross section in the provision of four side wallsformedwith triangular supporting 'base members'16 and 17 extending from eachopposite side of the upright. Each base member 16 and 17 may be hingedto oppositely faced sides of the upright so as to fold into inactiveraised or to down work supporting position; The apex of each of themembers 16 and 17 is made with an extension 18 and as shown in FIGURE2.is secured to one of the adjacent legs 21 of a suitable tub, such asthe tub B to provide for rigidity and steadiness during use of thedevice.

The standard or upright 15 is held spaced from the side wall 24 of thetub B by the aforesaid base members and 3,301,547 Patented Jan. 31,.1967.

a side shelf 25 is provided to support a valve housing 27 which connectsto a source of fluid from connections 28 and 29 and to flexible hosemeans 32 and 33 coupled to each connection, said valve housing on anopposite side having connections 35 and 36 within respective flexiblehose members 37 and 38 to the fluid power ram or motor E. The hosemember 37 connects to the lower side of the motor adjacent a lug and pinconnection 39 on the bottom of the vertical cylinder 40 mounted on thestandard 15 and the hose 38 connects to the top of the cylinder.

The cylinder 40 houses a piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 42projecting upwardly adjacent the standard 15 and the piston rod connectsat 43 to the bottom wall of the box-like casing head 14. This casinghead 14 includes spaced ball bearings 44, which serve as anti- I thepiston rod 42.

Y ator cradle A are likewise raised and lowered by the As shown inFIGURE 1 the valve housing is provided with a valve operating lever 45pivoted on a pin 46 mounted between lugs 47 and the lever at its lowerextremity connects to the projected end 48 of the valve element, notshown, confined within thevalve housing. Any suitable conventional spoolvalve or the like may be used and if desired a fluid cut-off valve 49and a pressure gauge 50 may be mounted adjacent the valve lever formotor operating pressure regulation.

The raising and lowering of the casing head 14 carries the cross arm Dby virtue of its T-head connection 10 therewith and since the free endof the cross arm is journalled to the upper end of support arm C in theprovision of a swivel joint 52, this arm and the novel radi:

From the swivel joint 52.the support arm C is defined:

with a shaft 53 extending at right angles toward a support frame 54 forthe cradle A, see FIGURE 1.-

This support frame is U-shaped in the provision of side legs 56 and 57and a bridge portion 58. This bridge is trunnions or bearings 63 and 64in the free ends thereof is asecond U-shaped frame 65. This second framefor examplernay be comprised of a pair of spaced bars 67 and 68 formedwith right angled ends 69-70,--7172 and with the spacedfree endsoftherespective bars each joined together by centrally apertured bridge bars74 and by set screws or bolts 73.

The backing frame 77 is relatively wider than the second tilting frame65 and each of the side bars 78 and 79 thereof projects beyond each sideof frame 65. Backing frame 77 includes two longitudinal contiguouselongated tubes; 80 and 81 securedbetween 'cross bars:

82 and 83 at each end of frame 77. Telescopically mounted in each tubeis a clamp bar 85"and 86, respectively. The bars telescope outwardly atopposite sides of the backing frame 77 between the spaced bars 67 and 68and each projected end of the bars on one side surface thereof is formedwith a threaded socket to receive the threaded end 90 of a rod 91 whichextends at right angles to its respective clamp bar 85 or 86. A clampsupport arm 94 is journalled on each respective rod 91 and may be swunglaterally in an arc to any desired positions with respect to the backingframe 77. Carried at the tip end of each clamp arm 94 is a screw shaft95 with a manually turnable handle 96 at one end and a clamp plate 98with a ball joint connection 99. These screw shafts 95 are threadable inan internally threaded bushing 100 formed from the end of each clampsupport arm 94, whereby a radiator clamp assembly is provided for anysize of radiator to be supported in the cradle assembly for inspection,testing and/or repair.

As an example, a radiator to be worked upon may be placed on the backingframe 77 and clamped thereto by the clamp means.

Prior to the clamping, it is preferable to operate the motor and raiseand lower the cradle assembly to the most suitable work position overthe tub B. This is accomplished by the manual actuation of the valvelever to cause the motor piston rod to impart movement to the slidinghead 14 to raise and lower the same on the standard 15.

Once the radiator W and the first and second frames are in position overthe tub B with the radiator clamped in the second U-shaped frame orcradle, the laterally pivoted cross arm D carried by the head 14 may bemoved, the cradle may be rocked in the first frame and the first U-framesupport bar turned on its vertical swivel, and also the first U-framemay be tilted as required.

This tilting of the first frame bodily tilts the second U-frametherewith either up or down at each end, to thereby rock the radiator Wclockwise or counter-clockwise. Then, if desired, the entire frameassemblies may be swiveled on the swivel connection at the end of thesupport arm C for different angular settings in either a clockwise or acounter-clockwise direction. In fact the radiator is so mounted in theframe assemblies that it may be tilted in any direction, tumbled endover end or otherwise generally maneuvered.

The second U-frame may be locked to any tilted position and the firstframe may likewise be held set to any selected angular tilt r tumbledposition.

Also, when in a desired set position, the complete assembly may belowered by the motor E into the tub B and immersed in water to locatetell-tale bubbles indicative of leaks in the radiator and after the leakis located the motor may be reversed to raise the assembly free of thetub B to suitable repair positions.

Without further description it is believed that the advantages of thepresent invention over the prior art is apparent and while only oneembodiment of the same is illustrated, it is to be expressly understoodthat the same is not limited thereto as various changes may be made inthe combination and arrangement of the parts ill-ustrated, as will nowlikely appear to others and those skilled in the art. For a definitionof the scope or limits of the invention, reference should be had to theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprisinga vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portionslidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motormeans, a cross arm .pivotally connected to said head portion and movabletherewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivelconnecting with a support arm, said support anm having a shaft on oneend at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a firstU-shaped frame journalled by said bearing means to said shaft of thesupport arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said firstU-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of saidsecond U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by saidbacking frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of saidsecond U-shaped frame.

2. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprisinga vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portionslidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motormeans, a cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movabletherewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, and end swivelconnecting with a support arm, said support arm having a shaft on oneend at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a firstU-shaped frame journalled by said bearing means to said shaft of thesupport arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said firstU-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of saidsecond U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by saidbacking frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of saidsecond U-shape-d frame, said clamp means being swingable in an arc topermit clamping selectively at desired areas of the work.

3. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprisinga vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portionslidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motormeans, a cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movabletherewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivelconnecting with a support arm, said support arm having a shaft on oneend at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a firstU-shaped frame jouranlled by said bearing means to said shaft of thesupport arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said firstU-shaped frame, a backing fna-me secured to a medial section of saidsecond U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by saidbacking frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of saidsecond U-shaped frame, said clamp means being swingable in an arc topermit clamping selectively at desired areas of the work, and said clampmeans each including a clamp plate having a self-adjustable action whenengaged with the work.

4. Means for holding radiators for inspection, testing and repaircomprising a vertical standard, a fluid motor connected to the standard,a head portion slidbale vertically on said standard and movably operatedby said motor, a horizontal cross arm pivotally connected to said headportion and movable vertically therewith, said cross arm having an endswivel, said end swivel connecting with a substantially veritcal supportarm, said vertical support arm having a horizontally extended shaft,said extended shaft supporting bearing means, a first U-shaped framejournalled by said :bearing means to said extended shaft, a secondU-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, abacking frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame,and adjustable clamp means carried by said backing frame for clamping apiece of work to said backing frame.

5. Means for holding radiators for inspection, testing and repaircomprising a vertical standard, a fluid motor connected to the standard,a head portion slidable vertically on said standard and movably operatedby said motor, a horizontal cross arm pivotally connected to said headportion and movable vertically therewith, said cross arm having an endswivel, said end swivel connecting with a substantially vertical supportarm, said vertical support arm having a horizontally extended shaft,said extended shaft supporting bearing means, a first U-shaped framejournalled by said bearing means to said extended shaft, a secondU-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, abacking frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame,and adjustable clamp means carried 'by said backing frame for clamping apiece of work to said backing frame, and means to lock said secondU-frarne in an adjusted position.

6. A radiator positioner and holder comprising a standard, said standardhaving base supports, said supports being connectable to the legs of asuitable tub positioned adjacent thereto, a travelling head on saidstandard, a motor supported on said standard connected to said head forraising and lowering the head on said standard, an arm extendinglaterally from a side of said head, said arm being swivelled to adepending assembly, said assembly comprising a support means, a firstframe swivelled to said support means, a second frame pivotally mountedin said first frame, and clamp means mounted in said second frame forholding said radiator, said first frame being vertically rotatable onsaid support means with said second frame means in one plane, saidsecond frame being vertically rotatable in said first frame in a planeat right References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS2,576,660 11/1951 Williams 26958 X 2,679,092 5/1954 Austin 26958 X2,737,709 3/1956 Lovelace 269-60 X 3,027,158 3/1962 Barbee 26920 ROBERTC. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

I. F. MCKEOWN, Assistant Examiner.

1. MEANS FOR HOLDING WORK FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND REPAIR COMPRISINGA VERTICAL STANDARD, MOTOR MEANS ADJACENT THE STANDARD, A HEAD PORTIONSLIDABLE VERTICALLY ON SAID STANDARD AND MOVABLY OPERATED BY SAID MOTORMEANS, A CROSS ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID HEAD PORTION AND MOVABLETHEREWITH, SAID CROSS ARM HAVING AN END SWIVEL, SAID END SWIVELCONNECTING WITH A SUPPORT ARM, SAID SUPPORT ARM HAVING A SHAFT ON ONEEND AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO, SAID SHAFT HAVING BEARING MEANS, A FIRSTU-SHAPED FRAME JOURNALLED BY SAID BEARING MEANS TO SAID SHAFT OF THESUPPORT ARM, A SECOND U-SHAPED FRAME TRUNNION MOUNTED IN THE SAID FIRSTU-SHAPED FRAME, A BACKING FRAME SECURED TO A MEDIAL SECTION OF SAIDSECOND U-SHAPED FRAME, AND ADJUSTABLE CLAMP MEANS CARRIED BY SAIDBACKING FRAME FOR CLAMPING A PIECE OF WORK TO SAID BACKING FRAME OF SAIDSECOND U-SHAPED FRAME.